No matter the decade or our hair length, we always keep scrunchies in our giant basket full of hair products.

If you were born after 1990, perhaps you don’t know what a scrunchie is?

Well, it’s an elastic device to pull your hair back in a ponytail, but it’s covered in soft fabric, which scrunches over the elastic. The fabric keeps your hair from breaking and getting dented.

But, the scrunchie had suffered a bit of an image crisis in recent decades. So, we were delighted to read that models in a recent Mansur Gavriel fashion show were on the runway with their locks held back by scrunchies.

And now new generations are discovering the joy of a scrunchie, which perhaps never really went away with the cheerleading/gymnast set.

These days, we rely on an accessory to keep hair off our face during our weekly application of an anti-aging mask.

Your best bet for finding local scrunchies is the Ellsworth Rite Aid, which has several styles and colors.

We found a package of four for $4.99 in such essential colors as pink, orange, light blue and black by Scunci. However, the company calls the package “ponytailers.”

There are also packages of darker-hued scrunchies suitable for winter for $7.69.

Jennifer Osborn

Reporter and columnist at The Ellsworth American

News Reporter Jennifer Osborn covers news and features on the Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle-Stonington. She welcomes tips and story ideas. She also writes the Gone Shopping column. Email Jennifer with your suggestions at [email protected] or call 667-2576.